Unleashed on the world in 1970, the Minimoog Model D changed the face of modern music. The all-analogue, monophonic synth won acclaim for offering the sound of 1960s Moog modular systems in a format that made it much easier to set up and was practical for live performance. The Minimoog was quickly embraced by performers such as Herbie Hancock, Kraftwerk, Jan Hammer, Sun Ra, Giorgio Moroder, Parliament Funkadelic, Pink Floyd, Rick Wakeman and Gary Numan – all forging new musical genres with the instrument.
More than a half-century since its invention, Minimoog Model D is back in production at the Moog factory in Asheville, North Carolina. Each new Minimoog Model D delivers the revered quality, undefinable feel, and authentic sound of a pristine vintage model.
The synthesis circuitry and audio signal path remain identical to the Model D that Bob Moog and his team engineered in the 1970s. This latest edition of the instrument also includes the series of popular functional modifications from the 2016 production run that expanded its capabilities. These include a dedicated analogue LFO with triangle and square waveshapes, a premium Fatar keybed with velocity and after pressure available via top panel CV jacks with onboard trimpots, Midi integration, improved pitch wheel calibration, and a mixer feedback modification which allows the Minimoog Model D to be overdriven with the turn of a knob.
In addition, the Minimoog Model D now features a spring-loaded pitch wheel that returns to centre upon release – a frequent artist request. This edition also includes updates to the Midi functionality, simplifying modern studio use.
The three-oscillator, monophonic, analogue synthesiser is housed in a locally sourced Appalachian cherry cabinet with a legacy-inspired walnut stain and hand-finished aluminium chassis. Its renowned low-pass ladder filter, powerful oscillators, and rich saturating mixer retain the exact component placement and through-hole design of a 1970s-era instrument.
‘This attention to detail in materials and build allows us to connect directly to the legacy and character of this legendary instrument,’ says Moog Music VP of Product Development, Steve Dunnington. ‘The Minimoog Model D is more than just a collection of circuits in a box – it’s a true musical instrument that is a joy to program and play. Bob [Moog] always recognised the importance of an instrument’s feel, and we’ve gone to great lengths to honour his practices through the re-introduction and manufacture of this beautiful synthesiser.’
